Jetsettersblog

The Tides plans to reposition The Jalousie Plantation in St. Lucia. Kor Hotel Group, operator of The Tides brand, has entered into an agreement with property owner Roger Myers to manage, rebrand and reopen the resort as The Tides Sugar Beach in 2010.

The future Tides will sit on 192 acres of rainforest and white-sand beaches. Guests at The Tides will be enveloped in views of the two pitons (mountain-like formations) and the Caribbean Sea beyond.

Upon opening, the resort will offer 150 villas and guestrooms with private pools, four restaurants, an array of recreational activities, and amenities including a beach lounge, a comprehensive fitness center and a spa.

Plans include a full closure of the resort in early summer 2009, followed by an extensive $100 million renovation, as Kor prepares to reposition the resort with a complete redesign.

Locally grown and influenced cuisine and a holistic wellness program will offer ocean-inspired dishes and sustainable, marine-based spa products and treatments.

The resort will unveil The Tides signature spa approach, guiding guests on a journey toward the discovery of their essential selves.

For more information, visit www.thetidesresorts.com

Two new winter sailings to the Caribbean from Southampton have been introduced by P&O Cruises.

The five-week sailings both depart in early 2010 on Oriana and have been scheduled instead of a traditional world voyage.

The first departs on January 8, 2010 covering a range of Caribbean islands and Central American ports over a duration of 36 nights. Ports of call include St Lucia, Barbados, Limon, Santo Tomas de Castilla and Montego Bay and a partial transit through the Panama Canal. Prices start at £2,499 per person including a 45% early booking discount.

The second voyage sails on February 13, 2010 and visits 13 ports in the Caribbean and US over 35 nights, including St. Maarten, Grand Cayman, New Orleans, Tampa and Princess Cays. Prices lead-in at £2,399 per person.

Both ‘Caribbean Connoisseur’ itineraries depart from and return to Southampton, avoiding airports and lengthy flight connections.

The new itineraries feature in the second edition of P&O Cruises’ 2009/10 brochure, and are on sale now.

The brochure features holidays to more than 180 destinations in 60 countries, and is destination led, to be easy to use for customers.

The 45% early booking offer is available before November 30, 2008.

P&O Cruises’ managing director Nigel Esdale said: “These new holidays will offer UK holidaymakers a more leisurely and relaxing way to escape the British winter and visit warmer climes.

“They should be highlighted to customers who want a Caribbean holiday without having to set foot on an aeroplane, and who want a lengthy break from the British winter but who can’t be away for such a long period of time as a world voyage.

“Our expanding fleet means we can offer more variety and choice for our customers and we work closely with agents to ensure they understand the breadth of choice with the P&O Cruises product. This is in terms of deployment, destinations and length of holiday.

“This is our most varied winter programme yet with a choice of two-week fly cruises, month long explorations and leisurely three month worldwide voyages – something for every kind of customer.”

Virgin Holidays is offering FREE Premium Economy flight upgrades to passengers when they book an Elite Islands Resorts hotel before 30th September 2008. When travelling between 3rd January 2009 and 18th April 2009, passengers holidaying at any Elite Island Resorts hotel in the Caribbean will enjoy a free one way upgrade to Premium Economy on-board Virgin Atlantic flights.

Passengers can take advantage of a dedicated check-in, priority boarding, meals on china dinnerware, after-dinner liqueurs and that all important extra space and legroom in Premium Economy. And all for free when booking one of the following hotels for a minimum of 10 nights:

• St. James Club, Antigua from £1,779 for 10-nights

• The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua from £1,899 for 10-nights

• Galley Bay, Antigua from £2,489 for 10-nights

• Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, St Lucia from £1,579 for 10-nights

• Palm Island, Grenadines from £3,249 for 14-nights

• Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas, Tortola from £1,549 for 14-nights

On flights departing from Gatwick, passengers can also start their holiday at the airport by relaxing in the V ROOM, Virgin Holidays’ dedicated leisure lounge. For £15 per adult and £10 per child V ROOM visitors can enjoy a café serving hot and cold complimentary food, soft drinks and a decent cup of coffee. In addition, yummy pastries, hot sandwiches, fresh fruits, cereal and yoghurt are on the menu.

For more information or to book, visit www.virginholidays.com or call 0844 557 4015.

Sandals Resorts is offering a stress-free approach to honeymoon planning through its annual Test Drive Your Honeymoon event. Available on Jan. 14 and Jan. 28 for $149 per person, including airfare, this event allows couples to take a peek at their honeymoon long before they say “I do” during a one-day jaunt to Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort &

Private Island in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Joann Delgin, chief romance officer of Sandals Resorts, said, “What we have created here is an amazing opportunity for couples to feel confident, excited and stress-free about their choice in honeymoon destination. From gourmet dining and luxurious accommodations to entertainment and the exclusive Red Lane Spa, ‘test drive’ couples experience it all and, as an added bonus, break free from winter’s icy grip for the day.”

For couples who fly in to take their honeymoon for a spin, the exclusive sneak peek at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island is available for $149 per person, including airfare. With same day non-stop champagne flights aboard airline Air Jamaica, the “test drive” offer is available from New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Baltimore (BWI), Atlanta (ATL) and Chicago (ORD). The event includes a preview of all of the luxurious amenities offered as part of a Sandals Resorts Luxury Included honeymoon.

For more information, call 800-SANDALS or visit www.sandals.com/testdrive

Villa Beach Cottages, in St. Lucia, announced a high season special for seven-night bookings now through March 1, 2009.

The offer is valid for bookings of a minimum of seven nights and it includes accommodations in a one- or two-bedroom villa, complimentary “meet and greet” airport transfers, flowers and welcome drinks upon arrival, free use of the resort’s ocean kayaks and a complimentary day’s rental of a car or Jeep for exploring the island.

Prices for the high season special are $2,295 for two persons in a deluxe one-bedroom villa, and $2,595 for four persons in a deluxe two-bedroom villa. The offer is valid for bookings of at least seven nights from now through March 1, 2009.

For more information, call 758-450-2884 or visit www.villabeachcottages.com

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, St. Lucia, is offering up to 60 percent savings with its Celebration Opening Rate for its new luxurious Anthurium Lily Junior Suites with ocean views opening in December.

The special rate for this luxury and eco-friendly resort’s new 1,100-square-foot suites starts at $250 per couple per night (normally $450) and $290 for the premium suites (normally $490) for stays Dec. 1 through 27.

The property’s Sun Dollars (resort credit), will apply as well. Suited for honeymooners, the suites will have four-post mahogany queen-size beds that will be draped with mosquito netting in a plantation style, but with a clean contemporary twist and include Romeo and Juliet balconies. Amenities will include 27-inch plasma TVs, vessel sinks and showers designed by St. Lucia artist Michelle Elliot, romantic rain-head showers and Kohler fixtures.

The color scheme will reflect the tropics of St. Lucia with bursts of bright colors utilizing orange, navy blue and crèmes and whites.

For more information, call 800-345-0356 or 800-958-7376, or visit www.windjammer-landing.com

Coconut Bay Beach Resort is reaching out to solo parents traveling with children. “We are seeing a growing trend with not only single-parent families, but also parents who travel alone with the kids because a spouse can’t take a vacation,” said Coconut Bay general manager, Vishal Bhalla. Solo parent travel is a growing traveling market since one out of four American families with children is headed by a single parent, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Coconut Bay Beach Resort makes traveling with kids convenient for parents with access to hotel amenities, meals and even entertainment within a safe, tropical haven.

“With our broad family appeal, children and teens have plenty of playmates to choose from and loads of fun to experience,” Bhalla promises. “From splashing around at CocoLand, the island’s largest water park, to grabbing a snack at the poolside bar and grill, or learning new games at the supervised Kids Klub, younger guests will experience a fun-filled vacation in a safe environment.” While the kids are with professional caretakers, single adult travelers can use the adults-only side of the all-inclusive resort.

Another Coconut Bay feature popular with families are the themed dinner nights. On Pirate’s Night, kids are encouraged to dress in their finest pirate outfits. While Coconut Bay gets “invaded” by pirates, who perform on stage and get the kids in on the action, guests dine on a buffet-style BBQ meal. The activities desk can arrange trips with local boat charters, jeep safari expeditions, snorkeling tours and even zip lining through the rainforest canopy. Situated on 85 acres along St. Lucia’s south coast, a short transfer from the Hewanorra International Airport, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa has 254-rooms, three swimming pools, a full-service spa, CocoLand Kidz Klub and the island’s largest water park. With a recent multi-million dollar renovation, this all-inclusive resort caters to families, couples and honeymooners.

For more information, call 866-978-6226 or visit www.cbayresort.com

Best Western International is rewarding travelers through its 2008 fall promotion. From Sept. 14 to Nov. 21, members of Best Western’s Gold Crown Club International will earn double points or double miles when they stay two or more nights and pay with a MasterCard card. Elite program members earn triple points or triple miles regardless of payment method.

In addition, program members who register for the promotion and book their hotel stay online at www.bestwestern.com will receive a 250-point bonus when they stay during the promotional period. To be eligible, guests must register, reside in North America, South America, the Caribbean or Asia and be members of Gold Crown Club International.

Individuals who are not already members may join the program prior to or during their first stay.

Membership is free. To join Best Western Rewards, visit www.bestwesternrewards.com

For more information, call 800-WESTERN or visit www.besterwestern.com/fall

American Airlines First and Business Class customers traveling from the Caribbean can enjoy a taste of the islands in-flight through freshly updated menu offerings that incorporate many local Caribbean flavors.

Chef Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile, a highly regarded Coral Gables, Fla., restaurant featuring Caribbean cuisine, collaborated with American Airlines to design the new menu selections in a way that reflects her unique style and culinary skills, which she describes as “edible art.”

Hutson demonstrates the virtues of a flavorful combination of fish, fruits, vegetables and traditional tropical seasonings. Among some of the entrees American is serving: East Indian Chicken, Stir Fried Chicken, Jerk Pork Tenderloin and Guava Barbecue Salmon.

SeaDream Yacht Club has extended the deadline for its 2009 Mini Group Dream Deal to Oct. 15.

The deal invites agents to sell five staterooms on select 2009 Caribbean cruises to receive a complimentary sixth occupied stateroom. Those who sell seven staterooms on select Mediterranean voyages will get an eighth occupied stateroom at no cost. Each full-fare stateroom will receive a $100 spa credit.

In order to qualify for this promotion, all bookings must be on the same voyage and deposited by Oct. 15.

During this Mini Group promo period, SeaDream will confirm an agent/companion rate stateroom, on the voyage of their group departure, for travel agents who sell a minimum of three full-tariff staterooms in their group. Once the group minimum is fulfilled, the agent/companion booking will be converted to the complimentary stateroom.

This group promotion is not combinable with any other SeaDream promotions and applies to new groups only.

For more information, call 800-707-4911 or visit www.seadream.com